A new election issue emerges

While voters usually focus on economy and war, artificial intelligence and data centers have suddenly become a major campaign issue in 2026.

Data centers spark major concerns

Giant data centers, AI expansion, privacy issues, and Flock cameras are creating a minefield for politicians who don't yet have clear positions.

Shapiro flips on data centers

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro touted data centers in February as protection against China, then signed an executive order reining in tech developers months later.

Abbott does the same reversal

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott welcomed a forty billion dollar Google investment last year, then paused approvals for about eighteen hundred data center projects this month.

Democrats focus on environment

Democrats are settling into arguments about environmental and quality of life concerns from data centers in their communities.

Republicans push local control

Republicans are increasingly embracing arguments for more local control over data center decisions rather than state or federal mandates.

Public opinion shifts dramatically

A UMass Amherst poll shows sixty-five percent of Americans do not want data centers in their communities, crossing party lines.

Kevin O'Leary case sparks backlash

Public backlash forced Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary to scale back his Utah development from forty thousand acres to roughly twenty thousand.

AI warning adds to fears

A former AI executive warned that artificial intelligence could end civilization within a decade, and tech companies aren't doing enough about it.

Flock cameras raise privacy alarms

Automated license plate readers installed everywhere capture vehicle and driver data, sparking anger at town halls across the country.

Trump backs data centers

President Trump told voters they'll be backwards and poor without data centers, ignoring widespread public opposition to the projects.

“backwards and poor”

Trump calls AI fears a hoax

Trump rejected AI safety concerns as a hoax similar to climate change and called for less regulation of the technology.

“a hoax”

Trump supports Flock cameras

This week Trump said he likes Flock cameras despite town halls packed with angry citizens protesting the invasive surveillance technology.

Trump ignores election risk

Trump has been unmoved by public opinion on multiple issues including war, tariffs, and abortion, which may cost Republicans their majority.

Voters disagree with Trump

It's rarely a good idea to tell voters they're wrong about how they feel, especially on a brand-new issue threatening to upend the election.